Mixing device



March l1, 1952 E. H. THOMPSON 2,588,591

MIXING DEVICE Filed Feb. 2, 1946 2 SHEETS-SHEET l E. H. THoMPsoN MIXINGDEVICE March 1l, 1952.

2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1946 Patented Mar. 11,?1952 MIXINGDEVICE Ernest H. Thompson, Winnetka, Ill., assignor to Automatic CanteenCompany of America, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware ApplicationFebruary 2, 1946, Serial No. 645,053

, 'I 'his invention relates in general to a mixing :device for mixingsolids and fluids, and more particularly to a device where a finelydivided, or comminulcd solid material located in a receptacle will bemixed with a liquid which is dispersed therethrough.

While the various adaptations of my apparatus `may include the admixturewith fluids cf such .solids as cement, sand, gravel and the like, theyalso embrace, and the invention is more particularly directed'to, themaking of beverages, either hot or cold, such as coffee, postum, cocoa,malted milk, and others. y

In general, the device embodying my invention `comprisesvan elongatedcylindrical member having a plurality of passages, or orifices, in oneend thereof to permit a uid to pass therethrough. A 'receptacle is vprovided with a quantity of the comminuted solid material and thereceptacle and cylindrical member are then placed so that theend of thecylindrical member is located within the receptacle. While the preferredway of 'doing this is to reciprocate the cylindrical member, it iswithin the purview of the invention to also reciprocate the receptacle,or to permit any other relative movement which will position thecylindrical member within the receptacle during the mixing operation andoutside thereof during inoperative periods. Relative rotation betweenthe member and receptacle is then effected and as the fluid is passedthrough the cylinder it is sprayed or forced outwardly in streamsthrough the orices. If desired, the fluid may also be forcefully sprayedby means of a pump. This spray of liquid agitates and mixes with thesolid material, and as the receptacle is lled the mixing process becomescomplete and the spray means may be removed. r 'i In accordance with theforegoing, thenit is an object of the present invention to provide adevice for -Y quickly and easily mixing uids and solids.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotatable conduit forthe passage of fluid, having a spray nozzle at one end thereof of anovel type, to disperse the fluid throughout the solid and mixtherewith.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for permittingfluid to pass through the conduit and nozzle while it is within therecep- 'i tacle but to stop the Aflow-ofv such uidlby the mere removalof the conduit from the receptacle.

Still another object is to provide novel spray -means wherein two ormore rows or series of ori- 8 Claims. (Cl. 259-23) flces are locatedadjacent each other, one 'of;55

which rows is substantially normal to the axis 'of rotation, and theother of which is directed angularly toward the bottom oftlievreceptacle, so that the powder or finely divided solid materialwill be driven by the angular spray into the path of the normal spray,thus decreasing considerably the time necessary for admixture. l

A still further object, with respect to the device as used for makingbeverages, is to provide a means for a continuous slow dripping oroozing of the fluid through and around the tip or nozzle for the purposeof maintaining the nozzle clean and free from sediment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upona reading of the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical'section through the device in its inoperativeposition;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the device in its operativeposition, taken substantially along nthe plane of line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section along the same plane as Fig. 2,but showing the conduit'l or cylindrical member in a partially recededposition and the uid dripping therefrom;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section through vthe nozzle showing therelative position of the orifices;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the plane ofline 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the plane ofline 'l-l of Fig. 5.

It will be noted that the preferred embodiment of my invention is shownas adapted for use in mixing beverages, and for purposes of ease inunderstanding, it will be so referred to; however this is not intendedin any-way as limiting, since the device may be used for mixing othersolids and fluids without in any way departing from the spirit of theinvention.

In its broader conception, of course, it is necessary that there be arelative rotation between the receptacle and the spray, but forpractical purposes it would appear that a better admixture results whenthe spray is rotated, and for that reason the invention is shown anddescribed in -this preferred form. y

Referring now more particularly to the drawings-and more especially toFigs. 1, 2, and 4, I vprovide an external tube or cylinder 2 within'which an elongated internal plunger or cylin- `drical member is mountedfor rotation and vertical reciprocation. n.The 'upper end of the eX-place will now be described.

3 ternal tube 2 is provided with screw threads to receive a removablecap 6, below which packing 8 is located.

A sleeve I extends upwardly from the cap 6 and has an elongated slot I2therein which extends therethrough and throughout a considerable portionof the length thereof. The plunger 4 has securedthereto at one end a rodI4 which passes upwardly through packing 8 and cap 6, and is mounted forrotation and vertical reciprocation within the sleeve IU.

A collar I6 surrounds the sleeve I0 and is adapted to slidelongitudinally thereof. This collar is provided with a flanged portionI8, and a pin 20 extends through the collar I6, slot I2 in the sleeveIll, and the rod I4, so that reciprocation of the flanged collar willalso cause reciprocation of the rod I4 and plunger 4 attached thereto.It

will be clear that when this operation takes place,

the pin 2U will ride substantially the length o the slot I2. l

The means by which this reciprocatingl movement takes place maybe variedto suit conditions, and any suitable expedient, even manual means. maybe used. For purposes of illustration I have shown an arm 22 having apincers-like end consisting of similar inturned portions 24, spacedapart a sufficient distance to receive at least the outer edge of theflange I8. In this instance any desired means, mechanical or otherwise.may be used to actuate the arm 22, but it will be evident that when thearm is moved either upwardly or downwardly it will carry with it, asexplained above, the plunger 4 to place it in either of the positionsshown in Fig. 1 or 2.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the sleeve I0 extendsupwardly through a bearing 26 suitably mounted in a support 28. Adjacentthe bearing I provide a pulley 30 which may be rotated in the usualmanner by means of a belt 32 running from a suitable motor (not shown).

It will be evident, from the foregoing, that a rotation of the pulley 3)will likewise cause rotation of the sleve I0, the pulley being keyedthereto. Since the pin 29 passes through the slot I2 of the sleeve,every part connected thereto, including the flanged collar I6, I8, rodI4, and plunger 4, will also be rotated. If desired, an annular groovemay be provided on each face of the flange I8 in which the rounded endsof the members 24 may ride during rotation of these various parts.

Thus far, the explanation has been confined to the manner in which therotation and reciprocation of the plunger 4 is accomplished. The meansby which the mixing of the fluid and solid takes A conduit 34 isprovided for the passage of fluid therethrough and is connected to theouter cylindrical member 2 within which the plunger 4 moves. Near theupper end of the plunger 4 cross-feed holes 36 are located so that, whenthe plunger is in its lowermost position, the holes 36 Iwill be incommunication with the conduit 34. Fluid under pressure passing throughthe conduit will also be fed through the holes 36 and to the interior ofthe plunger, where it passes downwardly and is sprayed outwardly throughthe nozzle or spray-tip connected to the lower end thereof.

The details of my novel spray tip may be more `readily understood byreference to Figs. 5, 6 and 7. The lower end o the plunger isscrew-threaded to receive the removable tip 38 which preferably nasaclosed lower endc40, but. which also has a vertical passage 42 thereincommunicating with the interior of the plunger 4. At one level I providea series of radially extending passages or orifices 44 in a plane normalto the axis of rotation of the plunger. At another level, below thefirst series, is a second series of orifices 46 also extending radiallyoutwardly, but directed angularly toward the end of the removable tip.While the actual number of these orifices in each series may be variedto suit conditions or the size of the apparatus, for convenience I haveshown eight in the first series and four in the second. I have found ithighly desirable, however, to locate those of the second series betweenthose of the first instead of in vertical alignment therewith as moreclearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. It may also be desirable under certaincircumstances to increase the number of the series of orifices, that is,to provide three or four instead of the two series shown, and this maybe done without departing in any way from the spirit of the invention.

ySince the fluid passes from the conduit 34 ,through the holes 36, intothe interior of the plunger and downwardly to the removable tip, therotation of the plunger and tip will induce a rotary spray of fluidoutwardly through all of the orifices. One spray will be downwardly andthe other outwardly substantially as shown in Fig. 2.

As mentioned previously, my invention is subject to use in mixing manydifferent types of uids and solids, but as described herein it isparticularly adapted for the making of beverages, and when so used areceptacle, such as indicated at 48, may be placed beneath the plungerand contain a quantity of the powder or comminuted solid material asshown at 50.

In the operation of the device as shown, the arm 22 is actuated to lowerthe plunger 4 into the receptacle 48 so that it will occupy the positionshown in Fig. 2. At this point rotation of the plunger will take placeand the holes 36 therein will be in alignment with the conduit 34,whereby fluid will pass therethrough and out of the orifices 44 and 46.rThis fluid, either hot or cold, will then be dispersed throughout andmix with the solid material. The orifices 46, being directed angularlytoward the bottom of the receptacle, will direct the fluid downwardly tomix with some of the material, but will also force some of the materialupwardly into the path of the fluid being sprayed from the upper seriesof orifices 44. This action will assure complete admixture in theshortest possible time.

When the receptacle is filled with the mixture, the arm 22 will beactuated to elevate the plunger, which action will automatically stopthe flow of fluid through the removable tip by removing the holes 36from the path of the flow of fluid through the conduit 34.

To insure against any of the solid material remaining around the tip orthe lower part of the plunger, and to thus make the device moresanitary, I do not permit a tight :it between the plunger 4 and thecylinder 2 within which it reciprocates, but rather I provide a smallannular space between the two members as more clearly shown at 52 inFig. 3. At the end of the mixing operation and after the plunger hasreceded into its cylinder, this space will permit a small amount offluid to continue to flow into the cylinder 2 and around the plunger 4,which fluid will then flow down the outside of the plunger and driptherefrom in a manner substantially like that shown at 54 in Fig. 3. Ifthe pressure of the fluid is sufficient it will also creep. upwardly tothe holes 36 and down the inside of the plunger. Thus any remainingsolid material thereon will be washed off. The additional advantagesarising out of this arrangement coupled with the removability of the tipor nozzle 38 will be readily appreciated, in that it may be desirable tomix the same fluid with different solids in succeeding operations, whichmay necessitate the use of a tip with different sized orifices. Theautomatic cleaning operation will insure that no part of one solid willremain to be mixed with a different solid.

As stated previously, even though the preferred form of the inventioncalls for rotation of the spray, the important consideration is therelative rotation between the spray and receptacle. It will be clearthat the invention also contemplates rotation of the receptacle whilethe spray means remains stationary; rotation of both the spray andreceptacle in opposite directions, or rotation of both in the samedirection at different rates of speed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A mixing device comprising, in combination, a receptacle adapted tocontain a quantity of a comminuted solid material, a plunger mounted forreciprocation into and out of said receptacle, means for forcing aliquid through said plunger, means in said plunger for spraying aplurality of streams of said liquid at different levels into said solidmaterial for admixture therewith, and means for rotating said plungerduring the spraying of said liquid.

2. A mixing device comprising, in combination. a receptacle adapted tocontain a quantity of a comminuted solid material, a plunger mounted forreciprocation into and out of said receptacle, means for forcing aliquid through said plunger when it is within the receptacle, means insaid plunger for spraying a plurality of streams of said liquid intosaid solid material for admixture therewith, and shut-oi means forstopping the flow of said liquid by removing said plunger from thereceptacle.

3. A mixing device comprising, in combination,

a receptacle adapted to contain a quantity of a comminuted solidmaterial, a plunger mounted for reciprocation into and .out of saidreceptacle, means for forcing a liquid through said plunger and intosaid solid material for admixture therewith when said plunger is withinthe receptacle, and shut-01T means for stopping the flow of said liquidby removing said plunger from the receptacle.

4. A mixing device comprising, in combination, a receptacle adapted tocontain a quantity of a comminuted solid material, a plunger mounted forreciprocation into and out of said receptacle, a removable tip in oneend of said plunger having a plurality of orifices therein, some of saidorifices being directed angularly toward the bottom of said receptacle,and means for forcing a liquid through said plunger and orifices, tothereby mix said liquid and solid material.

5. A mixing device comprising, in combination, a receptacle adapted tocontain a quantity of a comminuted solid material, a plunger, means toreciprocate said plunger into and out of said receptacle, a removabletip on one end of said plunger containing a plurality of oricesthereincommunicating with the interior of said plunger, means for forcing aliquid through said plunger and orifices after the plunger has beenmoved into said receptacle, and means for rotating said plunger, wherebythe liquid passing therethrough will be directed outwardly in aplurality of streams into said solid material and mix therewith.

6. In a drink mixing device of the character described, an outercylinder, a plunger mounted for reciprocation within said cylinder tooperative and inoperative positions, means for forcing a liquid throughsaid plunger and out of one end thereof when the plunger is in operative.position, and means for continuing to force a small amount of saidliquid around the outer surface of said plunger when it is ininoperative position, to thereby maintain said plunger clean.

7. In a drink mixing device of the character described, an outercylinder, a plunger mounted for reciprocation within said cylinder tooperative and inoperative positions, means for forcing a liquid throughsaid plunger and out of one end thereof when the plunger is in operativeposition and an annular space between said plunger and said outercylinder, whereby the liquid forcing means will continue to force liquidinto said space when said plunger is in inoperative position and therebymaintain said plunger clean.

8. The method of making a beverage which comprises the steps of placinga powdered beverage ingredient into a receptacle, spraying a pluralityof streams of liquid angularly into said powdered beverage ingredient,simultaneously spraying a plurality of streams of liquid radiallyoutwardly in a substantially horizontal plane above said angularstreams, and then causing a relative rotation between the liquid andpowder, whereby the angular streams will move the powder into the pathof the substantially horizontal streams to effect a thorough admixtureof the powder and liquid.

ERNEST H. THOMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 529,221 Wagner Nov. 13, 1894950,152 Gaar Feb. 22, 1910 1,075,524 Veaco et al. Oct. 14, 19131,333,379 Black Mar. 9, 1920 1,505,479 Maitland Aug. 19, 1924 1,522,369Jaden Jan. 6, 1925 1,819,637 Carlson et al Aug. 18, 1931 1,821,579 RaderSept. 1, 1931 2,288,063 Ashlock, Jr June 30, 1942 2,355,513 Cox Aug. 8,1944

